Prime Video’s Thriller Cross Overtakes Young Sherlock on Streaming Charts

by

Everyone was looking forward to Young Sherlock in 2026, and it finally arrived on Prime Video on March 4th. Though it was the most-watched show on the platform for several days, another book-based series on Prime Video has now taken its place at the top.

According to FlixPatrol, the TV series Cross is now the second most popular show on Prime Video in the U.S., moving ahead of Young Sherlock, which has dropped to number three. Cross is also a top 10 show on Prime Video globally, even reaching the number one spot in Nigeria. Like Young Sherlock, it’s based on a series of books.

Cross Is an Adaptation of James Patterson’s Alex Cross Book Series

James Patterson is a famous and incredibly productive author of crime novels, most recognized for his Alex Cross series, which now includes 35 books. Prime Video’s Cross is a television adaptation of the series, with Aldis Hodge playing the lead role of Alex Cross, a forensic psychologist and homicide detective in Washington, D.C.

Unlike shows like Prime Video’s Reacher, Cross isn’t based on a single James Patterson book. It uses characters, their histories, and ideas from the books to tell a new, original story. This was a risky decision, but it appears to have paid off for the show.

Cross Was a Hit with Critics but Divisive Among Viewers

The TV series didn’t directly adapt any single James Patterson novel, which initially disappointed some dedicated book fans. However, this approach actually earned the show positive reviews from critics. Currently, Cross has an 85% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences give it a 60% rating.

Season 1 of Cross has been certified Fresh on the Tomatometer with a score of 76%, and audiences gave it a 64% rating on the Popcornmeter. Ronda Racha Penrice of TheWrap praised the show, noting its depth made it a significant improvement over earlier adaptations. However, some viewers felt the series didn’t quite capture the essence of the Alex Cross character they were familiar with.

As of February 11, 2026, the film has a 95% rating on the Tomatometer, indicating strong critical approval, but a 55% score on the Popcornmeter, suggesting a more mixed audience reception. Film critic Peter Travers of The Travers Take praised Aldis Hodge’s performance as detective Alex Cross, calling it a standout, but noted the series as a whole doesn’t quite live up to his level.

Rotten Tomatoes’ TheMovieSearch reviewed the second season of Cross, finding it as disappointing as the first. The show, which aims to be a gripping crime drama, feels directionless and lacks impact. The writing doesn’t build suspense, the jokes fall flat, and the characters aren’t believable as people working within the criminal justice system.

Even with its flaws, the series continues to attract viewers and gain popularity on streaming platforms. One final episode of Cross Season 2 is set to release on March 18th, and a strong ending could draw in even more fans.

Cross is available to stream on Prime Video.

Read More

2026-03-14 01:06